Kevlar and Nomex Fibers :: kevlar nomex fiber

Kevlar fibers are 5 times stronger than steel. Since the introduction of Kevlar technology, industries have used Kevlar for many applications. Kevlar is most commonly used in safety applications such as bullet-proof vests for law enforcement agents, helmets for military infantries, and as protection from fire. Kevlar is a synthetic (person-made) material known as a polymer. A polymer is a chain made of many similar molecular groups bonded together called monomers. A single Kevlar polymer chain could have anywhere from five to a million segments bonded together. Each Kevlar segment or monomer is a chemical unit that contains 14 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms, 2 oxygen atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms. The hydrogen bonds greatly strenghten the polymer chain. The pattern shows that the aromatic components of Kevlar have a radial (spoke-like) orientation. The radial orientation is important because it allows the polymer chains to be well-ordered and symmetric like the atoms in a crystal. Because of this highly ordered structure, a fiber of Kevlar has few structural flaws or weak places. This lack of flaws or weak places is the biggest reason for the exceptional strength of Kevlar. Kevlar is a magnificent material due to the way that it can disperse the energy and force of an object by its chemical composition. As we know from physics, the pressure that an object exerts on another object is equal to the force divided by the area. Kevlar is remarkable at absorbing and displacing the pressure of an object. Pressure = Force/Area F = (mass * gravity) The ability to absorb energy and displace the pressure of an object makes Kevlar so useful in protecting us from knives, bullets and infinite types of sharp objects. Military helmets today are much lighter and much stronger than helmets of the past. Helmets of the past consisted of metal. As you know metal can get heavy, especailly after long durations of time. Kevlar is also five time stronger than metal. The new Kevlar helmets help keep our troops safe, and do not cause fatigue on their heads. Combat vehicles use composite panels made of Kevlar liners mounted to the inside of the vehicles structure. With the combination of other metals or ceramics, they greatly increase the survivability for the crew members. Kevlar does not melt or shrink when exposed to extreme heat. It is also extremely resistant to cuts, punctures, ans chemical substances. Many new canoe makers make their canoes entirely out of Kevlar.